Oshaniwa who is one of Hearts' highest-paid players has not made a first-team appearance in over a year.

He fell out of favour under the club's former head coach, Robbie Neilson early last year and hasn't featured at all for Neilson's successor, Ian Cathro.

It was gathered that Hearts have tried to negotiate his exit before now, but as one of their biggest earners, many interested clubs could not afford his transfer fee.

Meanwhile, Hearts won't pay Oshaniwa his final year's salary in a lump sum to release him. To secure a quick departure this summer, he may need to forego a severance package and write off much, if not all, of what he would earn at the club over the next 12 months.

Oshaniwa was in the Super Eagles squad that won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa featuring only in the final against Burkina Faso.

He also made the squad to the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup, playing in all the Super Eagles' group games and also the Round of 16 game against France.